A policeman is accused of failing to properly deal with a confrontation between a couple, which ended up with the woman being attacked.

PC Stephen Kerr didn't follow the two outside a club where the row took place and she ended up with her head pushed against a car windscreen, it is alleged.

He also afterwards made an inaccurate statement about the incident, a Kent Police misconduct hearing was told.

The remote hearing, which began this morning, follows an incident at Dover Working Men's Club on October 23, 2019.

The tribunal heard that PC Kerr had been off duty playing pool with friends at the London Road club when a row was seen to develop between the couple.

He went to intervene but soon withdrew after the man slammed a glass on the table.

The man then took the woman outside and he failed to follow them to help ensure her welfare.

But he left the club at 11.10pm, 10 minutes later, aware that the incident continued outside the hearing was told.

He also did not get help by calling police, that was done by a member of the public.

It is also alleged that next day PC Kerr had made an inaccurate statement.

He had said he didn't think the woman would be harmed yet he was concerned that may happen, he had also failed to say that the man had been aggressive and had slammed the glass down.

Clare Hennessy, outlining the case against PC Kerr, said: "He breached standards of professional behaviour. He should have intervened and followed her outside to check on her safety or call the police."

Witness Edward King, who had been playing pool with PC Kerr, said he had noticed the row but said the man did not seem overly aggressive.

He believed this to be a typical tiff between a couple.

Mr King told the hearing: "I had no sensation that something was kicking off.

"The man grabbed the woman and pulled her up from her seat but she was not screaming or shouting. "She was not struggling when he brought her out. She didn't seem concerned."

He said if the confrontation looked more serious there were plenty of men at the club to intervene.

'I had no sensation that something was kicking off....'

Mr Edwards said he went outside and someone told him the police had been called.

He told the hearing: "I was told she had been assaulted and had her head smashed against a windscreen.

"I was very surprised. I didn't see anything too untoward at the club."

PC Kerr is accused of breaches as a police officer such as duty and responsibility and honesty and integrity.

An officer has to maintain these standards even when off duty.

He denies all allegations against him.

The hearing continues tomorrow and Friday when the verdict is expected.

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